Kremlin File

Programming Note: May 2 at 11:00 AM

Join us tomorrow for an emergency Substack Live at 11 AM to discuss the insane possibility that a shady real estate developer/Putin asset could be the next National Security Advisor.

Thank you 💛 to everyone who tuned in to our latest episode of Pax Americana!

Julie Roginsky and I delved into some of the biggest Russia-related developments this week and how they intersect with the U.S. and Europe. If you missed it, here’s a recap of what we covered:

Show Notes

* Putin Proposes 3-Day “Ceasefire” for WWII Anniversary — Putin proposed a three-day “ceasefire” starting May 8 for his Victory Day. Ukraine rejected the delay and called for an immediate, month-long ceasefire instead. The only reason Putin wants a ceasefire is to avoid drone attacks in Moscow during his Victory Day parade and foreign leaders' visits. Source: NPR

* Lavrov reiterated Russia’s absurd demands for “negotiations” with Ukraine

* Ukraine must commit to not joining NATO

* Ukraine must confirm neutral and non-bloc status

* Ukraine must address “neo-Nazi regime in Kyiv” formed after the “coup in February 2014,” particularly regarding policies affecting Russian language, media, and culture

* International recognition of Russian control over Crimea, Sevastopol, Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts

* Legally binding agreements with enforcement mechanisms

* “Demilitarization and denazification” of Ukraine

* Lifting of sanctions against Russia

* Return of frozen Russian assets

Source: Euromaidan Press

* Trump’s real estate developer Steve Witkoff met with Putin for the fourth time in two months — These secretive Kremlin meetings are being sold to Americans as discussions centered on a so-called “deal” but in reality are about Trump restoring ties with Putin, using backdoor channels to enrich himself, and doing Russia’s bidding. The optics of the meeting were ridiculous, with Witkoff on one side of the table while Putin was flanked by senior Kremlin officials on the other side. It was a display of who’s really calling the shots. Source: BBC

* Dossier Center and Russia’s GRU list — GRU agents are ordered to collect home addresses of Kremlin critics for potential "active measures." According to the Dossier Center, targets include journalists, politicians, bloggers, and cultural figures flagged for potential “active measures.”It’s a covert hit list in the making. Source: Khodorkovsky on X

* Ed Martin Praised a Nazi Sympathizer While Purging J6 Prosecutors

Ed Martin, Trump’s acting U.S. attorney in D.C. and “Stop the Steal” extremist, awarded convicted January 6 insurrectionist and Nazi sympathizer Timothy Hale-Cusanelli, calling him a symbol of “God, family, and country.” Martin had defended him on his podcast, dismissing documented antisemitic remarks as smears. He has also made over 150 appearances on Russian state media, parroting Kremlin propaganda while attacking U.S. institutions. At the same time, he’s purging J6 prosecutors. Call your Senators and demand they vote against him! Source: Washington Post and Mother Jones

* The Russian Military Moves That Have Europe on Edge — As attention stays on Ukraine, Russia is quietly expanding military infrastructure near NATO borders—especially Finland. New army bases, reactivated rail lines, and surging weapons production point to preparations for a possible future war with Europe. Source: Wall Street Journal

Meanwhile, Putin’s Press Secretary Peskov made this comment yesterday…

Russia can mobilize for war on a scale comparable to the Soviet Union during World War II if necessary.

"If a great country needs to stand up, it will stand up at any moment. No one can have any doubts," Peskov said during a lecture at the Victory Museum in Moscow.

This is just the beginning. Each week on Pax Americana, we’ll expose Russia’s playbook and its dangerous intersections with U.S. politics. We’ll break down:

* Updates on Russia’s genocidal war in Ukraine

* Russia’s latest news and moves

* The latest on Moscow’s hybrid warfare tactics in the U.S. and Europe

* Sanctions, corruption, and Kremlin networks

* Disinformation and malign influence operations

* Tactics that Trump is using in the U.S. mirroring Russia’s system—politicizing law enforcement; attacking the press, universities, protesters, and opposition— and turning institutions into tools to consolidate power.

Don’t forget to subscribe to Julie’s Substack for amazing insights!

Tune in each week as we go beyond the headlines, delivering the unsanitized truth and exposing Russia’s playbook in real-time. From Ukraine to Washington, we’ll break down how Russia’s tactics—oligarchy, disinformation, propaganda, political repression, and institutional capture—are being mirrored in the U.S. and what it means for the future of America.

📅 Join us every Thursday at 11 AM ET on Substack Live!

If there’s something you want us to cover, send us your questions and insights! Drop your questions, and we’ll break it down live.

Thanks for reading Unmasking Russia! This post is public, so feel free to share it.

Catch up on last week’s episode…

Thank you to everyone who tuned in to our latest episode of Pax Americana!

Julie Roginsky and I delved into some of the biggest Russia-related developments this week and how they intersect with the U.S. and Europe. If you missed it, here’s a recap of what we covered:

Show Notes

* ‘We are all afraid’: Murkowski says fear of retaliation from Trump administration is ‘real’— Sen. Lisa Murkowski said a fear of retaliation from Trump is rising to levels she’s not seen before, acknowledging this week that it is so pervasive that even the outspoken senator is “oftentimes very anxious” to speak up out of fear of recrimination. Source: Politico

* Trump’s Authoritarian Attack on Universities— We break down Trump’s escalating war on universities—how federal agencies are being used to threaten funding, monitor campuses, and crush academic freedom. From the IRS to ICE, the crackdown is already underway. Source: Reuters, The Hill

* National Labor Relations Board whistleblower— A whistleblower at the National Labor Relations Board exposed that Musk’s operatives accessed and likely extracted confidential labor data — including union organizer identities and legal case files — then disabled security logs and deleted records. Shortly after, a Russian IP tried logging in using one of the DOGE-created accounts. The whistleblower, Daniel Berulis, was later targeted with a threatening note and drone surveillance after raising internal alarms.

Source: NPR and another NPR article

* Pentagon Officials Pressure Ally to Stop Support— Trump’s push for a Ukraine ceasefire by his 100th day is unraveling. Russia has intensified attacks, ignoring U.S. “proposals.” Meanwhile, the Pentagon reportedly pressured a U.S. ally to stop sending weapons to Ukraine, as the U.S. plans to withdraw troops from Poland and slash military support.

Source: The Economist

* US Derails G-7 Condemnation of Russian Missile Strike on Ukraine— After Russia launched deadly missile strikes on the Ukrainian city of Sumy, killing at least 35 civilians on Palm Sunday, G7 nations drafted a statement condemning the strike. The U.S. refused to endorse it, citing the need to keep negotiations with Moscow "on track." Source: Bloomberg

* White House Moves to Slash State, UN, and NATO Funding— Trump has proposed cutting the State Department’s budget by nearly 50%, closing overseas diplomatic missions, and eliminating funding for most international organizations—including the United Nations, its agencies, and NATO headquarters. Source: Associated Press

* Russian spy sensors found hidden in UK waters— Russian sensors suspected of trying to spy on British nuclear submarines are reported to have been found hidden in the seas around the UK. Source: The Telegram

* Must Read by Julie Roginsky

This is just the beginning. Each week on Pax Americana, we’ll expose Russia’s playbook and its dangerous intersections with U.S. politics. We’ll break down:

* Updates on Russia’s genocidal war in Ukraine

* Russia’s latest news and moves

* The latest on Moscow’s hybrid warfare tactics in the U.S. and Europe

* Sanctions, corruption, and Kremlin networks

* Disinformation and malign influence operations

* Tactics that Trump is using in the U.S. mirroring Russia’s system—politicizing law enforcement; attacking the press, universities, protesters, and opposition— and turning institutions into tools to consolidate power.

Don’t forget to subscribe to Julie’s Substack for amazing insights!

Tune in each week as we go beyond the headlines, delivering the unsanitized truth and exposing Russia’s playbook in real-time. From Ukraine to Washington, we’ll break down how Russia’s tactics—oligarchy, disinformation, propaganda, political repression, and institutional capture—are being mirrored in the U.S. and what it means for the future of America.

📅 Join us this Thursday at 11 AM ET on Substack Live!

If there’s something you want us to cover, send us your questions and insights! Drop your questions, and we’ll break it down live.

Thanks for reading Unmasking Russia! This post is public so feel free to share it.

Thank you to everyone who tuned in to our latest episode of Pax Americana!

Julie Roginsky and I delved into some of the biggest Russia-related developments this week and how they intersect with the U.S. and Europe. If you missed it, here’s a recap of what we covered:

Show Notes

* No Tariffs on Russia — Trump’s tariffs spared Russia despite 2024 trade of $3.5 billion. Meanwhile, Ukraine, a key U.S. ally under a genocidal assault, faces tariffs on steel and other goods, highlighting where Trump’s loyalties lie. Source: Newsweek

* Pentagon Considering Cutting 10,000 Troops From Europe — Trump is reviewing a proposal to withdraw up to 10,000 U.S. troops from Eastern Europe—about half of those sent by Biden after Russia’s 2022 full-scale genocidal invasion of Ukraine. Source: NBC News

* US Neo-Nazi Group with Russia-Based Leader Calls for Targeted Ukraine Attacks — The Base, a U.S.-designated neo-Nazi terrorist group led by American Rinaldo Nazzaro from St. Petersburg, Russia, is calling for assassinations and attacks on Ukraine’s infrastructure to support Kremlin goals during ceasefire negotiations. Source: The Guardian

* Here Comes the Gulag — Trump is trying to socialize his plan to send American citizens to CECOT, the Salvadorian hellhole gulag.

* While the Economy Burns, Trump Plans a Parade — As Trump’s reckless tariffs tank the economy, his focus is nowhere near jobs or stability. Instead, he’s fixated on staging a dictator-style military parade in the heart of Washington, DC.

This is just the beginning. Each week on Pax Americana, we’ll expose Russia’s playbook and its dangerous intersections with U.S. politics. We’ll break down:

* Updates on Russia’s genocidal war in Ukraine

* Russia’s latest news and moves

* The latest on Moscow’s hybrid warfare tactics in the U.S. and Europe

* Sanctions, corruption, and Kremlin networks

* Disinformation and malign influence operations

* Tactics that Trump is using in the U.S. mirroring Russia’s system—politicizing law enforcement; attacking the press, universities, protesters, and opposition— and turning institutions into tools to consolidate power.

Don’t forget to subscribe to Julie’s Substack for amazing insights!

Tune in each week as we go beyond the headlines, delivering the unsanitized truth and exposing Russia’s playbook in real-time. From Ukraine to Washington, we’ll break down how Russia’s tactics—oligarchy, disinformation, propaganda, political repression, and institutional capture—are being mirrored in the U.S. and what it means for the future of America.

📅 Join us this Thursday at 11 AM ET on Substack Live!

If there’s something you want us to cover, send us your questions and insights! Drop your questions, and we’ll break it down live.

Thanks for reading Unmasking Russia! This post is public so feel free to share it.

Thank you to everyone who tuned in to our latest episode of Pax Americana!

Julie Roginsky and I delved into some of the biggest Russia-related developments this week and how they intersect with the U.S. and Europe. If you missed it, here’s a recap of what we covered:

Show Notes

* Ukrainian children — Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the State Department preserved a critical database documenting the mass kidnappings of Ukrainian children by Russia—data lawmakers feared was deleted after Trump defunded the Yale-led program tracking the kidnappings. Russia has kidnapped over 21,000 Ukrainian children in an act of genocide. Thank you to everyone for speaking out and pressuring Congress. Source: New York Times

* The Bonkers Putin to Pentagon Pipeline — Pete Hegseth’s use of the Russian term “near abroad” in Pentagon strategy reflects the growing influence of authoritarian-aligned think tanks like the Heritage Foundation, which has deepened ties with Orbán’s pro-Kremlin regime in Hungary. The language — and the policy — highlight a broader shift by Trump and his cronies toward aligning with Putin’s worldview and undermining Western alliances and democracies.

* Kirill Dmitriev: Putin’s Messenger Arrives In Washington — Kirill Dmitriev, the Kremlin’s most trusted financial operator and messenger, has quietly arrived in Washington. Not in disgrace. But with a special temporary sanctions waiver, personally approved by Trump, so he could waltz into the White House under the guise of "ceasefire talks."

* Influencer Paid by Russia Added to White House Press Pool — Tim Pool, a right-wing YouTuber who took Russian money to spread propaganda and disinformation about Ukraine and the 2024 election, has been added to Trump’s White House press pool. Source: Daily Beast

This is just the beginning. Each week on Pax Americana, we’ll expose Russia’s playbook and its dangerous intersections with U.S. politics. We’ll break down:

* Updates on Russia’s genocidal war in Ukraine

* Russia’s latest news and moves

* The latest on Moscow’s hybrid warfare tactics in the U.S. and Europe

* Sanctions, corruption, and Kremlin networks

* Disinformation and malign influence operations

* Tactics that Trump is using in the U.S. mirroring Russia’s system—politicizing law enforcement; attacking the press, universities, protesters, and opposition— and turning institutions into tools to consolidate power.

Don’t forget to subscribe to Julie’s Substack for amazing insights!

* Tune in each week as we go beyond the headlines, delivering the unsanitized truth and exposing Russia’s playbook in real-time. From Ukraine to Washington, we’ll break down how Russia’s tactics—oligarchy, disinformation, propaganda, political repression, and institutional capture—are being mirrored in the U.S. and what it means for the future of America.

📅 Join us this Thursday at 11 AM ET on Substack Live!

If there’s something you want us to cover, send us your questions and insights! Drop your questions, and we’ll break it down live.

Thanks for reading Unmasking Russia! This post is public so feel free to share it.

Thank you Katherine Cooper, Linda Weide, Kathryn Clancy, The Sassy Soup Spoon, Deborah Cox, and many others for tuning into my live video with Zev Shalev! Join me for my next live video in the app.

Episode 2 Recap: Pax Americana with Julie Roginsky

Thank you to everyone who tuned in to our latest episode of Pax Americana!

Julie Roginsky and I delved into some of the biggest Russia-related developments this week and how they intersect with the U.S. and Europe. If you missed it, here’s a recap of what we covered:

Show Notes

* American soldiers missing in Lithuania — Four U.S. soldiers went missing during a training mission near Lithuania’s border with Belarus—a serious incident raising immediate security concerns. When asked by reporters Wednesday evening if he had been briefed, Trump responded: “No, I haven’t.”

Source: CNN

* SignalGate — Trump’s senior officials leaked war plans in a Signal chat that included a journalist. This isn’t just reckless—it’s a national security crisis. Source: The Atlantic

* Witkoff in Moscow — Steve Witkoff was in Moscow when he was added to the now-infamous Signal chat planning a strike on the Houthis. Dangerous. Reckless and Completely Incompetent.

* Der Spiegel uncovers major security breach — Phone numbers, emails, passwords, and active Signal/WhatsApp accounts tied to top Trump officials—Hegseth, Waltz, and Gabbard—were exposed using leaked data and commercial people search tools. Source: Der Spiegel

* Trump Officials Left Venmo Friends List Public — National Security Adviser Mike Waltz—and other top Trump officials like Susie Wiles—left their Venmo friend lists public, exposing hundreds of contacts tied to the infamous Signal chat. After WIRED reached out, the accounts were set to private. Source: WIRED

* US Allies Alarmed by Signal Chat Leak — A leaked Signal group chat between top Trump officials discussing planned strikes on the Houthis has rattled U.S. allies. European diplomats called it “scary” and “reckless,” with security experts warning it shows a stunning disregard for protocol. Adding insult, U.S. officials mocked Europe— Vance griped about “bailing out” allies, while Defense Secretary Hegseth slammed “pathetic freeloading.”

Source: Military Times and Associated Press

* White House Adds Starlink Wi-Fi—Experts Warn of Security Risks — Trump has installed Musk’s Starlink Wi-Fi in the White House, raising alarms among cybersecurity experts. The rushed move bypasses normal federal IT protocols and sets a dangerous precedent for network security and oversight. Source: WIRED

This is just the beginning. Each week on Pax Americana, we’ll expose Russia’s playbook and its dangerous intersections with U.S. politics. We’ll break down:

* Updates on Russia’s genocidal war in Ukraine

* Russia’s latest news and moves

* The latest on Moscow’s hybrid warfare tactics in the U.S. and Europe

* Sanctions, corruption, and Kremlin networks

* Disinformation and malign influence operations

* Tactics that Trump is using in the U.S. mirroring Russia’s system—politicizing law enforcement; attacking the press, universities, protesters, and opposition— and turning institutions into tools to consolidate power.

Don’t forget to subscribe to Julie’s Substack for amazing insights!

* Tune in each week as we go beyond the headlines, delivering the unsanitized truth and exposing Russia’s playbook in real-time. From Ukraine to Washington, we’ll break down how Russia’s tactics—oligarchy, disinformation, propaganda, political repression, and institutional capture—are being mirrored in the U.S. and what it means for the future of America.

📅 Join us this Thursday at 11 AM ET on Substack Live!

If there’s something you want us to cover, send us your questions and insights! Drop your questions, and we’ll break it down live.

Thanks for reading Unmasking Russia! This post is public so feel free to share it.